Deltona commission adopts tentative 2025–26 budget at 6.700 mills after heated public comment

The Deltona City Commission on Sept. 8 adopted a tentative millage rate of 6.700 mills per $1,000 of taxable value and a tentative citywide budget of $245,407,034 for fiscal year 2025–26 after extended public comment and a brief recess for staff-to-commissioner discussions. The vote to set the millage passed 4–2.

The change matters because the millage and budget determine the ad valorem taxes residents will see on their 2026 property tax bills and set the city's planned spending across general fund, enterprise, capital and other funds. Finance and city staff said the adopted millage is 3.06% above the statutory rollback rate used to calculate voter notice requirements.

Finance Director K. McKinney summarized the budget during the hearing. “The citywide total operating budget is $245,683,379,” he said when presenting the initial figures, and then later provided the revised number tied to the adopted millage: “The proposed citywide fiscal year 2025–26 budget for all funds is $245,407,034.” McKinney also told the commission the general fund is set at $77,197,638 and described capital…